06/13/07: Having a little experience of both,

my take is this.

By far, the U.S. is better at dealing with the high-end, complicated, expensive surgery. If you can afford it, you can get it. There are exceptions (e.g. organ transplant waiting lists). The specialist doctors gravitate to the U.S. because that's where the money is.

By far, Canada is better at dealing with the everyday problems. Essentially, everyone is on one giant insurance program, run by the government. As a result, treatment comes quickly, without the hospital worrying about whether the patient can afford it. As a result, and without access to stats, I would say that the *general* health of Canadians is better as a result.

Each has their plusses and their minuses. Whether one is 'better' than the other really depends on your criteria. I doubt that Americans would be willing to have a large tax hike to pay for universal health care - Canadians do so happily.

But Canadian dope is far, far better.

Mike

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